The Department of Education (DepEd) is giving a five-day wellness leave every year for teaching and non-teaching personnel as part of its support for their mental health and overall wellness in the education sector.
According to Education Secretary Sonny Angara, the policy is a concrete manifestation of the promise made to DepEd personnel, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reinforce na palakasin the welfare of employees at push for mental health in the public sector.
“Ito ay handog natin sa bawat kawani ng DepEd—mula sa central office hanggang sa mga rehiyon, division offices, paaralan, at community learning centers, at anuman ang kanilang employment status,” Angara said.
“Kinikilala natin na ang kanilang kalusugan, lalo na ang mental health, ay mahalaga sa patuloy nilang paglilingkod sa ating mga mag-aaral.”
“Kinikilala natin na ang kanilang kalusugan, lalo na ang mental health, ay mahalaga sa patuloy nilang paglilingkod sa ating mga mag-aaral,” the education chief.
Under the guidelines set by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Memorandum Circular No. 01, s. 2026, the wellness leave is a benefit given to qualified officers and employees of DepEd, including permanent, temporary, casual, contractual, coterminous, substitute, and provisional positions, as well as Contract of Service and Job Order personnel.
The wellness leave is separate from the existing vacation and sick leave benefits and can be availed for mental health care, physical wellness activities, or simply to rest.
DepEd personnel can use the leave for three consecutive days, or spread it in a year depending on the need and approval procedures.
To protect the privacy of the employees, any mental health-related information stated in the application process will be treated as confidential and will be handled according to the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
The application for wellness leave should be submitted at least five days in advance, except for emergency situations.
This leave cannot be subject to accumulation or converted to cash if it is not used within the year.
According to the education head, the initiative is according to the national policy of establishing workplace mental health and the goal of strengthening the resilience of employees while ensuring the delivery of quality education.
“Kapag inaalagaan natin ang ating mga guro at kawani, mas nagiging matibay ang ating mga paaralan.”
“Kapag inaalagaan natin ang ating mga guro at kawani, mas nagiging matibay ang ating mga paaralan,” he said.
“Ito ay pamumuhunan hindi lamang sa ating workforce, kundi sa kinabukasan ng ating mga mag-aaral,” Angara concluded.
